Overview
Taxus brevifolia is a bushy, columnar upright, matforming conifer in the genus Taxus, part of the Taxaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Taxus brevifolia grows best in full sun, partial shade and full shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include hedging and screens, topiary and ground cover. It is native to Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
About
Taxus brevifolia is an evergreen conifer that commonly occurs as a shrub or small upright plant, with forms ranging from multi-stemmed clumps to narrow columns and mats. Native to Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia and parts of the western United States, it retains foliage through winter. It tolerates a wide range of light from full sun to full shade and grows on many soil types provided they are well drained. Use where year-round screening or low, clipped forms are needed.
About the genus
Taxus is a genus of coniferous trees or shrubs known as yews in the family Taxaceae. Yews occur around the globe in temperate zones of the northern hemisphere, northernmost in Norway and southernmost in the South Celebes. Some populations exist in tropical highlands.
Wikipedia contributors, "Taxus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Taxus
In the garden
Taxus brevifolia is an evergreen member of the yew family (Taxaceae) native to Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. In cultivation it presents several growth habits — multi-stemmed, columnar upright or mat-forming — so plants can be selected to fill narrow screens, low ground-cover areas or clipped topiary roles. Plant where drainage is secure; it accepts chalk, clay, loam or sand and performs on acid, neutral or alkaline soils as long as they are well drained. Light tolerance is broad, from full sun through partial shade to full shade, and it will establish on north- as well as south-, east- or west-facing sites. Exposure can be either sheltered or exposed. In UK terms it is H7 (fully hardy), so it withstands winter conditions without the need for seasonal protection. Use Taxus brevifolia for hedging and screens, formal topiary or as a mat-forming ground cover where an evergreen layer is required. When clipped for screens or shaped as topiary, retain some interior foliage to maintain healthy stems and year-round density, as its evergreen habit provides continuous screening through winter.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Taxus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade, Full shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Taxus brevifolia size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Conifer
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright, Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Hedging and screens, Topiary, Ground cover
- Native to
- Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Taxus brevifolia
- Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings, Grafting
- Pest resistance
- Tortrix moth, Vine weevil, Gall mites, Scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Phytophthora root diseases, Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Taxus brevifolia?
Taxus brevifolia prefers full sun, partial shade and full shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Taxus brevifolia need?
Taxus brevifolia is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Taxus brevifolia hardy in the UK?
Taxus brevifolia has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Taxus brevifolia?
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Grafting.
